Rimuru's POV

['We'll begin our second sponsor selection.']

The dokkaebi left us with those words before disappearing into nothing. Everyone murmured, some excited, some hopeful, and others down as if already knowing the outcome.

I could see the night sky, twinkling with stars and slowly heading toward the incarnations they wanted to support.

<Sponsor Selection>

- Choose your Constellation sponsor

- The chosen Constellation will be your reliable support.

Little stars danced above us before settling on top of the head of the incarnation they wanted to support. In other people's cases, they were lucky enough to have two or three constellations offering sponsorship. But, some individuals are a bit different... 

A great example of that would be Kim Dokja.

A multitude of constellations hovered above his form, indicating that many constellations wanted him. Man, I didn't know I have many competition. There were too many stars around his head to the point it looked like a Christmas tree without a tree. 

"Don't you think you're too early for Christmas?" I stared above his head, and I didn't even bother to count or else I'd fall asleep.

"Me? Take a look of yourself, trap." He retorted in a lighthearted manner.

I raised a brow at his words, a little confused before looking up. Then, I could see a whole galaxy spiraling over my head, highlighting the bluish color of my hair.

"Oh." was the only thing that I could say.

"Oh? That's it? There's a galaxy over your head, and you're just going to say, 'oh'?" Kim Dokja said in an iffily manner.

"You have a Christmas tree over your head, and you have the guts to ask me that?" I countered. 

Besides, who can blame me? I didn't have a choice but to say 'oh' or else say nothing, which would be impolite. But at least I said something.

<Sponsor Selection>

1. Lord of Catastrophic Storms

2. Tyrant of Destruction

3. Architect Of A Hundred-Floor Maze

4. Goddess of Love and Beauty

5. Guardian of Youths and Travel

6. Thursday's Thunder

7. God-King of Thunderbolt

8. Lightning Throne

9. Lame Trickster

10. Progenitor of the Reincarnators

11. Monster of the Labyrinth

12. Observer of Worlds

...

Wow. I should've replaced the oh with the wow. I couldn't believe that many constellations were offering me sponsorship. I kept scrolling to see the last number of the sponsors, but with every upward swipe I did, it just caused my jaw to drop more.

The numbers were endless, or so what I have assumed. I gave up scrolling and went back to the top of the list. Now I finally understand Kim Dokja's reaction.

"Wow." I said it a bit late, but at least I said something.

[The Constellation, 'Lord of Catastrophic Storms' is saying that you should choose him.]

[The Constellation, 'Tyrant of Destruction' is saying that you should choose her instead.]

Two of them were loyal, taking the number one and two spots of the list. The rest of them, well, I don't know. I'm used to Japanese mythology since I used to be Japanese. But there's nothing I can do about it since I'm in South Korea.

So... Why don't we check it out? Their modifiers sounded cool, so they must be strong.

{...}

Don't worry, Sage. I'm simply gauging their strength by their names. Constellations or stars, I wouldn't exchange you for them. Got it?

{...}

There was a deafening silence between us for a moment. I could hear my own heart for a few seconds. Then, the Sage replied.

{Yes, Master.}

There was something about the way this partner of mine replied. It was as if the tone of their voice was warm and happy.

Wait, warm and happy? The Great Sage??

'You sounded happ-'

{It was your imagination.}

Just as I thought they would reply.

Now, let's move on.

Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite, was it? This constellation offered me sponsorship. I thought most of the Olympus gods would go to Kim Dokja, but considering that guy... Maybe it's not that weird she chose me.

She was probably after beauty and power.

I'm very flattered. I must be so pretty, aren't I? Right, Great Sage?

[A large number of constellations are fighting over you.]

{Yes, you are.}

Thanks to Shizu-san.

While others, such as Aphrodite, had the motive after my beauty and power, some constellations have taken interest in me because of my Dark Lightning and otherworldly powers. I was even surprised when I saw Thor and Zeus listed as one of the sponsors offering sponsorship.

I kept scrolling down and pondered about how strong these constellations would be in real life. Their background, their powers, their influence, and their true motives.

Kim Dokja said that they were only after entertainment. So if eventually they'd get bored, angry, or whatever, would they annihilate humanity and other inferior races? Would they destroy a planet by themselves? perhaps a universe?

If there was a time where humanity and constellations fought, would I, we, be able to stand a chance?

"Rimuru."

Kim Dokja broke me out of my thoughts, and I immediately looked at him. He looked calm; I thought there was nothing wrong, but then I saw a skull mark above his head.

Great, what a troublesome guy. He just got himself in a bounty scenario.

"See you later," he said and smiled at me. Then he turned his back and ran away, a crowd of people chasing after him like dogs. Yoo Sangah and the three kids stood beside me, and we watched Kim Dokja run for his life. His white coat undulating behind him as he did.

"He's full of life, isn't he?" Yoo Sangah chuckled, a tad worried and kind of amused. It eased the tense faces of the kids, and I smirked softly.

"He's going to die if he keeps that up."

.

.

.

Kim Dokja's POV

Not long after I landed on Nodeul Island, I encountered Lee Jihyeh and Lee Hyunsung along the way. As much as I wanted to chat more and know how they were doing, I didn't have the time.

Not when I know what's going to happen.

I have to hurry up and make it before Yoo Junghyuk gets his way!

As I sprinted towards the center of the island, I saw a woman with silver hair wearing a white coat that was similar to a doctor, Lee Seolhwa. She was facing the meteor that was five times bigger than an average human.

The thumping sounds of my steps caught her attention, and she turned around to face me.

"And you are?" Caution yet a tranquil expression crossed her features as she inquired.

I couldn't give a response. Taking my time to catch my breath, I placed one hand on my knee and the other on my waist. Are these signs of aging? I should work on my stamina a lot more.

I detected a nearby presence, and it stepped out from behind the meteor, revealing Yoo Junghyuk's figure. Always in black, always the handsome guy. But it was concerning.

"Yoo Junghyuk." I wiped the sweat off my forehead and glared at him before continuing.

"What do you think you're doing right now?" 

Junghyuk simply looked at me, then looked around as if trying to find someone.

"You don't know a lot of things for someone who has future vision," he said and finally faced me. I tried to say something, but then I noticed something about the meteor behind him.

"Wha... What is that?"

I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. Aside from the sight of the scenario guide being fed to the meteor, there was something else... something dreading.

It was strange.

So strange.

Ineffable.

Almost catastrophic.

"Have you anticipated this already?" He asked and looked at what I was staring at.

"That the final disaster isn't just one, but two disasters."

As much as I wanted to deny it, there was nothing else that I could do aside from shaking my head and looking anxious about the turns of events.

This wasn't part of the plan... This wasn't part of the story.

Originally, there was only one disaster to fight after killing the other disasters in different directions. The Disaster of Floods. The disaster that was sent by Yoo Junghyuk from the 41st worldline to help himself from the other worldline.

[The Disaster of Floods is preparing to hatch.]

That was a problem, but now another fuel was added to the fire. 

There were two meteors, meaning two disasters will hatch...

If the disaster of floods was the original, then what was the other?...

Ting!

[A new disaster has been added to the scenario!]

The screen popped up in front of me at the least timing I was expecting.

[The Disaster of Storms will hatch within 1 hour]

Word from the Author.

Hiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm back!!! HEHE. How was the chapter? Did you miss me? Vote if you do! And if you don't miss me, drop a comment!! 

School work had kept me busy, so I apologize for not being able to update much earlier. I'll try my best to write once a week, or maybe even more! And I'm also working on an OG story, but it'll take months to finish. Are you curious? Haha! Encourage me if you do.

That's all for today. I love you, guys!